April 17 is the last day to file 2011 state and federal income tax returns. Don’t get caught paying more than you should to tax-preparation services that charge you for filing your return. If your household income is $60,000 or less, LEAP can help you prepare and e-file your return for free. If you are owed a refund, you can expect it to be direct-deposited into your bank account within 14 days.

LEAP’s Ohio Benefit Bank counselors will also ensure that your family receives all the tax credits for which it is eligible, including the earned income tax credit, child tax credit, additional child tax credit, and education credits. And they’ll help you apply for such benefit programs as food assistance, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), USDA child nutrition programs, health care programs for children and families, Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled, Medicare Part D, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

As payment for their services, many tax-preparation services take a chunk out of clients’ refund checks. Services that provide advances on income tax returns frequently do the same thing. Why not keep all the money coming to you in your own wallet? Tax preparation at LEAP is absolutely free.

Tax preparation assistance is available in both the Cleveland and the Elyria LEAP offices. To make an appointment in Cleveland, call Barbara Thomas at 216-696-2716, ext. 833. For an appointment in Elyria, call Patricia Kelly at 440-324-3444, ext. 892.